Despite being surrounded by the red-armored Mandalorian super commandos, Obi-Wan, his lightsaber drawn and ignited, glared daggers at the evil zabrak before him, the tattooed warrior's yellow, blood-shot eyes gleefully staring at the Jedi before him, a malicious grin on his lips as he jumped down from the pipe he had just emerged from.
"Such a pity," Maul began to speak as he circled Obi-Wan, the armored Jedi never once giving the renegade Sith the chance to get behind him, though his anger seethed as Maul sent a muckily sorrowful smile toward the fallen Cody as the deceased clone lay at his general's feet. But the mocking look turned to one of humor as Maul let out a scoff of a laugh.
"Clones, bred for battle. I would think that having seen so many fall that the death of one more would be insignificant to you Kenobi."
Obi-Wan's teeth clenched in anger, a flicker of yellow former in the edge of his otherwise blue eyes as he felt a deep rage well within him. He knew at that moment that Maul was trying to get under his skin, trying to get him to tap into his raw reserve of untapped rage. And Obi-Wan wanted to, oh Force how he wanted to gut this monster like the demented cyborg he had gutted his master. But, even then, he knew that he couldn't, not just because he was outnumbered, but also because he held onto the Jedi rule of inner peace, and to not let your feelings cloud your judgment.
With that in mind, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"You said it yourself, Maul," he said, spitting out his adversary's name as if it were venom, face relaxed but his eyes still hard, "as a brother, I share your pain."
"And that is the ONLY thing we share," Maul growled as he stopped in his pacing. And Obi-Wan knew that if looks could kill, Maul would have dropped him right that second. For several seconds the two opponents just stared at each other, both unaware that old allies were coming to Obi-Wan's rescue from the tunnel behind him.
"My brother was of flesh and blood," Maul growled.
"We stood to gain so much until Sidious ripped him from me."
This caught Obi-Wan off guard, clearly unaware that Sidious had ended the life of the zabrak who had murdered his friend Adi Gallia, Savage Oppress. But, even as Obi-Wan felt pity for Savage's brother, he once again felt great unease when Maul let out a cold cackle, some glee returning to his gaze as he continued to glare at Obi-Wan.
"But, thanks to his prize champion, Skywalker, he has been avenged. And I must say, Sidious's death has made my plans far easier."
"What plans?" Obi-Wan questioned, his frightened whisper betraying his steely resolve.
"When I was his apprentice, I knew of his plans to eradicate the Jedi and build his empire. Yet I was unaware of his use for your clones, until I received word of death and the arrest of his co-conspirators."
Maul paused to let out another cruel cackle, still unaware of four pairs of blasters being trained on him and his commandos from the dark tunnel he had emerged from.
"And I could see through the force his plans for Skywalker. With his plan come to fruition, the Jedi and Republic would no longer be the controlling interest in the galaxy."
"And he would be," Obi-Wan guessed, only for his hair to stand on end at another cackle.
"Yes," Maul said, "and with him dead…it will be me."
At that very moment several volleys of blue plasma were sent toward Maul and his commandos, several quickly falling as their screams and the report of the blasters echoed in the tunnels and conduit. The sudden onslaught caused Maul, who on instinct had ignited one blade of his lightsaber, to duck along with his surviving subordinates. Obi-Wan, who was just as startled, turned, his lightsaber at the ready to defend himself against these new arrivals, only to relax almost instantly upon noticing the force signature of some still very troublesome cadets radiating from the blue loyalist helmets and armor they wore.
"MASTER KENOBI, THIS WAY!"
"KORKIE!" Obi-Wan exclaimed as he quickly moved to join Satine's nephew, only to pause briefly as he went back to retrieve Cody's body, the man unwilling to leave his brother-in-arms behind, alive OR dead. And once Obi-Wan had reached Korkie and his fellow cadets Lagos, Sonnie and Amis, Maul was able to regain his bearings, he stood to his feet, a primal rage filling him as he stood to his feet.
"AFTER THEM!" he bellowed, staying in place even as his subordinates raced after Obi-Wan and his allies, who by know had a very sizable lead ahead of their pursuers. But as they ran, Korkie, whose helmet Obi-Wan could see bore the crest of House Kryze, cast a concealed glance at the clone being awkwardly held by his Jedi friend. And just from the faint look of despair in Obi-Wan's eyes, Korkie knew he had suffered a great loss…
As it was the same way he felt when his aunt was killed.
"I'm sorry about the commander, Master," he said solemnly, receiving a sad smile and nod from Obi-Wan. But, as they continued to run, the group was suddenly barraged with a great while of blaster fire as the syndicate warriors caught up with them. Sonnie even let out a scream of pain when she took a direct hit to the back of the knee, Amos quickly helping his friend to as he returned fire toward the commandos chasing them.
"It's not much farther!" Lagos yelled over the noise, returning fore herself, "up ahead is a conduit that leads out of the Undercity! Lady Tano and Commander Rex will be waiting there to offer support."
"How did you find me?" Obi-Wan asked.
"AGH! When Lady Tano couldn't reach you on the comm," Sonnie began through pained grunts, "she sent us to your last reported position."
"Then we just started looking," Amis added nonchalantly, pretty much carrying Sonnie in the same manner Obi-Wan carried Cody's body, finding this method much easier, especially since the new position meant that Sonnie could offer cover fire from over Amos's shoulder. Finally, after a few more minutes of running and dodging enemy fire, Obi-Wan and his allies finally reached the brightly lit conduit Lagos had spoken of, the tall intersection leading right up and out of the Undercity.
"AMIS AND I WILL HOLD THEM OFF!" Korkie called to Obi-Wan.
"YOU, SONNIE AND LAGOS GET UP THERE! WE'LL BE RIGHT BEHIND YOU!"
Despite wanting to stay and help Korkie and Amos, Obi-Wan knew that now would be their only chance for most of them tog et back to the surface. And so, with great reluctance, Obi-Wan, with his precious cargo, activated his jetpack and began to ascend toward the top of the conduit, followed closely by Sonnie and Lagos, all while the sound of battle occurred below. But, once Korkie could see that his friends had reached a safe distance, he turned to Amos.
"LET'S GO!"
And in an instant, Korkie and Amis were following their friends up. Unfortunately, just before Amos could get ten feet of the ground, his was hit by a blaster bolt to the shoulder, sending him back to the floor with a pained grunt.
"AMIS!"
"KEEP GOING KORKIE!" Amos quickly responded, somewhat sensing his friend's intentions upon seeing his distress.
"SAVE MANDLORE!"
And despite the pian in his heart, Korkie knew his friend was right. And even as he saw Amis, who gave his all in a final stand to hold off the enemy get quickly gunned down by the emerging commandos, his body laying haphazardly on the cold floor, Korkie vowed at that moment that he would not let Amos's sacrifice be in vain. But of course, that would mean he would have to survive to see it through, a task made even more difficult by the commandos who were jetting up to catch them, the former cadets and enemy Mandalorians exchanging fire mid-air as they flew closer and closer to the top of the conduit.
"NEARLY THERE!" Obi-Wan called, even though great dread was filling his body as Maul's forces were now hot on their tail. Even the enemy relished the feeling of imminent victory as they closed in on their targets. But, just as the thrill of victory seemed imminent, the red-armored soldiers quickly found themselves hot under fire as a detachment of loyalist, the 212th and 332nd, led by Bo-Katan, Ahsoka and Rex rained hellfire down upon them, taking great care not to hit Obi-Wan and the surviving cadets as they made it out of the Undercity. Upon realizing that their effort was now a lost cause, the commando's had no choice but to retreat, many feeling great unease of having to deliver the bad news to their leader.
Back on the surface, Ahsoka and Rex quickly ran to Obi-Wan, greatly concerned for his well-being. But upon reaching him, Ahsoka and Rex both stilled as they laid eyes of the body in Obi-Wan's arms, the orange markings and facial scars a clear sign of who it was. And needless to say, Ahsoka fought back tears as she watched Rex walk towards Obi-Wan, his helmet hiding the pained expression on his face as reached a handout, cupping the back of Cody's head as he gently raised it from its awkward position in the crook of Obi-Wan's elbow.
"Cody," he rasped out, the hot tears spilling down his cheeks hidden by his helmet.
His Best Vod…Gone
About an hour later, Bo-Katan and Ahsoka where in the throne room, several pieces of strategical equipment set up, turning the throne room into a makeshift command center, troopers and Mandalorians moving around to get a better read on the situation, which as Bo-Katan was reporting to the holographic projection of Master Plo and Anakin, was going quite well.
"There are small number of fire-fights still happening in sector 11," she explained, her helmet tucked under her arm as she did so, "but for the most part, your clones have been as effective as promised. Still, without Maul in custody, this could all fall apart quickly. We must capture him before he escapes."
"But with the city successfully locked down," Plo added, "it seems that his capture is inevitable."
"Yes, Master Plo," Ahsoka responded, somewhat absentmindedly, which did not go unnoticed by Anakin, who quickly took note of his former padawan's unease.
"What's wrong Ahsoka?"
Even though it pained her heart to have to relive the sorrowful moment in her head again, Ahsoka knew that Anakin deserved to know what happened. And so, without beating around the bantha, she relayed the news.
"Cody's dead…killed by Maul's forces."
There was a tense silence, Anakin and Master Plo standing in utter shock, both unable to properly register what they ahd just heard…and what Obi-Wan and Rex must be going through.
"I am very sorry to hear this, Little Soka," Master Plo finally responded, bowing his head in sorrow toward the young togruta, who gave the old kel dor a tearful smile. Unfortunately, her smile fell when she saw Anakin's face contort in mild sadness, a deep frown on his lips as he finally was able to wrap his mind around the news he had just received.
"How's Obi-Wan taking it?" he finally said.
"Hard," Ahsoka quickly answered, putting extra effort in swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat.
Another moment of hard silence.
"And Rex?"
"Your Captain is…managing," Bo-Katan quickly answered, her voiced laced with noticeable concern as she mentioned Rex. And while she never intended it to come off as so, Ahsoka couldn't help but feel an aura of, dare she say, affection coming form the otherwise stoic warrior beside her.
"I know Rex," Anakin responded.
"He and Cody have been through a lot. Fives told me once that he has seen many of his brothers fall and tries not to hold onto any one of them. And I know Rex is the same, but sometimes there's that one person you've shared so much with that…it hits harder than most."
For a solid minute the group said nothing more, just standing in silence, each grieving in their own way. Even Bo-Katan took Anakin's words to heart as her mind drifted to thoughts of her sister before all the madness…
The time where they were once friends.
But, despite her grief, Ahsoka knew they were getting off topic. And so, with a grunt to clear her throat, she brought them back on point.
"There will be time to mourn. For now, we believe we can capture Maul, but in order to do so, we will need more men."
"I wish we could help you Ahsoka, but I'm afraid the Wolf Pack is still under orders to protect the Capital with the Corusaunt Guard."
"And the 501st is on standby," Anakin added, "waiting for orders to proceed to Sereno."
"Sereno?" Ahsoka asked in bewilderment.
"Yes," Anakin began to explain, "while we were successful in rescuing Chancellor Mothma, Dooku and Grievous escaped. However, clone intelligence has intercepted several encrypted droid transmissions that we believe confirms that Dooku, Grievous and the Separatist Council are fortifying themselves on Sereno. But, until we can confirm this information, I'm being told to stay put."
"I am truly sorry Little Soka," Master Plo added in, "but it would seem you will have to make do with the forces you have."
"I…understand Master Plo," Ahsoka finally answered with a sigh, the kel dor offering a formal bow before signing off, leaving Ahsoka and Bo-Katan alone with the hologram of Anakin.
"Give Padme my love for me," Ahsoka said with a smile, "and Lux."
This caused Anakin to let out a huff of laughter.
"I'll give Padme your love, but with Lux, I doubt it'll mean the same coming from me…Take care of yourself Ahsoka…and Rex."
"Always," Ahsoka responded with a curt nod before the hologram vanished. At that moment, the two heard the door to the throne room his open, making way for Vaugh, helmet tucked under his arm, revealing clicked back hair with a tapering fade.
"Vaugh, what is it?" Ahsoka asked upon noticing the distressed look on Vaughn's clean-shaven face.
"Pardon the interruption commander, but Maul's forces have begun targeting civilian locations with casualties already confirmed."
This alarmed Bo-Katan, who wasted no time in giving orders.
"Start getting my people to designated shelters!"
"RIGHT AWAY MAM!" Vaughn said with a salute before leaving, Ahsoka and Bo-Katan alone again.
"We need to find Maul," she pleaded with Ahsoka, her quivering voice and sorrowful expression showing the signs of a breaking resolve.
"First we need to find out what he's means of escape might be," Ahsoka suggested, tapping her knuckle against her chin as she thought of an answer. Luckily, Bo-Katan had one.
"Maybe the illustrious Prime Minister Almec might be able help with that," she said with a teasing smile, one returned by Ahsoka, who had called for Vaugh to meet them at the front of the palace with a gunship. With that, the two left the throne room to make their way to the prison complex.
"We…appreciate you taking the time to inform us Captain," the projection of Hunter said to Rex as he stood in the middle of the private quarters he had been given, the rest of the Bad Batch in view behind their leader, each holding a very solemn expression at the news they had heard. Even the ever-stoic Crosshair was visibly upset, his head hung low to hide the thin line of tears threatening to slide down his cheeks.
"It is most unfortunate," Tech said, his goggles doing very well to hide the sorrow in his eyes.
"I always calculated Commander Cody's chances of being killed in action at one-million, two-hundred seventy-three thousand, one-hundred and twenty-two to one."
"Glad to know you held him in such high regards Tech," Rex said with a small huff of amusement, which did the experimental group well to see. But, the tender moment was soon interrupted by a ping coming from Rex's comm on his arm, a clear sign that another transmission was coming through. His curiosity peaked, Rex hit the button, which added another brother to the conversation, one Echo was happy to see, especially upon noticing the togruta-human hybrid infant in his arms.
"FIVES!" Echo quietly called, careful not to disturb his "niece" as she stared around curiously at the holographic individuals from her end, her brown eyes wide in wonder as she looked on, each member, even Crosshair, sending her a kind smile, which eased some nervousness she felt.
"Hey Ashla," Rex roughly cooed, causing the girl to look at her "uncle," said man never ceasing to be amazed at how Ashla took after Fives and her mother, with red-skin and white markings reflective of her togruta heritage, but a mess of black hair and two adorable ears in place of montrals and head-tails. But even as Rex crinkled his nose at his niece, he suddenly took note of the sad smile Fives had on his expression.
"So…?" Rex began, having some inkling of why Fives, who he had just noticed was dressed in civies which consisted of beige trousers, dress-boots and a blue tunic, contacted him.
"I just got done talking to the General," Fives answered somewhat hesitantly.
"And…he told me about Cody. I'm so sorry Rex."
"It's fine, Fives," Rex quickly responded, casting his gaze to the ground, a clear sign he was trying to brush it off.
"No, it's not," Fives quickly countered, his voice and expression soft, yet firm.
"I know what you're going through. I went through the same thing when I lost Echo at the Citadel."
"That's different," Rex quickly countered, "besides, I'm in a lot better shape than General Kenobi. And with him, you're definitely right Fives. It's…going to take him some time."
"AHHH! He'll muscle through it!" Wreck interjected, causing all eyes to turn to him, some amused and some annoyed.
"HE'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST JEDI I KNOW!"
"Yeah," Echo added in, before sending a teasing smile toward Fives, having finally gotten a good look at his brother who he hadn't seen for several months.
"And I happened to notice you've copied his beard Fives."
This earned a round of laughter, from soft chuckles, to Wrecker's loud guffaw. Even Ashla was laughing, though she didn't quite understand what. Suddenly, the moment was broken by a loud beeping noise coming from the Batch's end, causing ech to start moving his way toward what rex assumed was the cockpit of the Maurauder.
"We are coming up a Kaller," he called, "better strap in."
With that, the rest of the Batch, save for Hunter and Echo, strapped themselves in.
"You're heading for Kaller?" Rex asked Hunter.
"Yeah," the grizzled leader of the elite force responded, "General Billaba's forces are being overrun. And while I'm sure she'll prefer more, most of the forces in the quadrant are being rerouted to fortify the capital."
"Well, good luck boys," Fives said, "and when you're done, swing by Corusaunt and we'll hit up 79's."
"Copy that Vod," Echo said with a mock salute, before sending a small wave to Ashla, who eagerly returned it before Hunter cut off the feed, leaving Fives and Ashla alone with Rex, who just stood in silence for a few moments, until the silence was finally broken by Fives.
"Take care Rex," he said with a sad smile before signing off, leaving Rex alone in the dimly room. For another few moments he stood there, until the weight of the loss he experienced caused him to fall back on the bed just behind him. Without thinking, Rex opened his kit, reaching into a side compartment until he felt what he was looking for;
A holo-photo, taken of him, Cody, Fives and Echo sometime before the Citadel Rescue.
Hevy, he thought to himself, tears welling in his eyes as he looked at the photo, Hardcase…Cody. So many troop-…VOD…gone."
And for the first time in his life, Rex wept for his fallen brothers.
And he wasn't the only one.
Obi-Wan stood in silence on the palace balcony overlooking the city, his loaned jetpack sitting at his feet beside him. Elbows on the railing, Obi-Wan's allowed his tense frame to hunch over, his sorrowful gaze scanning the besieged city, smokes from the flames spurned from the firefights that torn into many great and beautiful buildings and landmarks of Sundari. And the sight of his deceased loves home in such ruin, combined with the still fresh image of Cody dying in his arms, broke Obi-Wan's resolve to the point that tears silently slid down his cheeks, eyes clenched shut in futile effort to keep the offending liquid at bay.
"It's horrible, isn't it?"
Looking to the source of the new voice behind, Obi-Wan quickly relaxed upon seeing the sad smile of Korkie, helmet tucked under his arm as he moved to stand beside his late aunt's dearest friend and lover, the latter, of course, no longer any secret to anyone. And it was that moment, for the first time that the older man noticed how much Korkie had changed since the last time he saw him, which was when he was just starting at the Academy during the first year of the war.
Korkie had been much shorter, clean shaven with his hair neatly combed and his frame lean but firm while dressed in the immaculate uniform of a promising Cadet. But now, the once clean-shaven face was overgrown with a thin beard, his red-blonde hair appearing mangy in appearance, a clear sign that the younger man had not had any time to properly look after himself hygienically. And now, Obi-Wan could see that Korkie stood to his height, if not two inches higher, his still lean, but more muscular frame concealed in the blue armor of a Mandalorian Loyalist, his helmet adorned the crest of House Kryze.
"It truly is, Korkie," Obi-Wan finally responded, both men turning their eyes to stare at the embattled city, the death and destruction breaking their hearts to no end. For several minutes they stood in silence, both unsure of what the future would hold for Mandalore.
"Lady Bo-Katan cares for the people," Korkie finally said, the sudden change in topic catching Obi-Wan off guard, "she's told me. When this is over, she plans to rebuild Mandalore in a new vision; one of peace, but also one that holds onto its warrior traditions…that is, if she does not stand trial first."
Obi-Wan stood in silence, his neutral expression sending unease through Korkie, which the force-sensitive man could feel without difficulty. But even then, Obi-Wan couldn't help the teasing smirk that came to his lips as he looked at Korkie, his physical appearance leaving little for Obi-Wan to deduce over his lineage.
"You needn't take any measure to conceal your lineage Korkie," he said with a short laugh.
"You can refer to your mother as she is."
Korkie was taken aback by this, surprised that Obi-Wan was able to deduce that Bo-Katan was his mother.
"How did you-?"
"As usual, people tend to underestimate my keen insight," Obi-Wan quickly responded, his smirk never leaving his lips as he did. For a solid minute Korkie just stood in silence, his mouth open and closing like a Rokarian dirt-fish, unsure of how to answer. And finally, after running through the options in his head, Korkie returned the grin with a low sign before joining Obi-Wan in leaning over the railing of the balcony.
"Before the last civil war," he began, "my aunt and mother were very close. You might say they were almost inseparable. Then war…that would have been around the time you and your master were sent to protect my Auntie, the next heir to the throne of Mandalore. Auntie Satine, at first, was for the war, as was mother. But as the casualties increased, so did Auntie's distaste for violence. My mother, on the other hand…"
Korkie stalled for a moment, his gaze traveling to his folded hands as he faltered. But it was when he felt Obi-Wan's reassuring hand on his shoulder that he found the strength to continue.
"Well," he continued, "you can guess when the divide between them happened. After the war, mother became acquainted with a very aspiring cadet at the Academy. Eventually they began seeing each other, though grandmother and grandfather disapproved. In the end I understand…the House's Kryze and Vizsla had always been at odds."
Obi-Wan, although having already suspected as much, still seemed shocked, which did not go unnoticed by Korkie.
"Yes…I am the bastard child of Pre Vizsla. When Auntie Satine became Duchess, it was two years before the Clone War began…and the same time he formed Death Watch. I was only thirteen. In that time, my mother, after returning under the guise of having ended her relationship with Vizsla, met secretly with Auntie Satine. She wanted her to watch over me as she attended to 'pressing matters.' But…Auntie knew what she meant."
"She was meeting with Death Watch," Obi-Wan said, connecting the dots as it were. Korkie sadly nodded his head, a gesture Obi-Wan took to mean a feeling of betrayal and abandonment. However, Korkie, upon noticing the look of pity in Obi-Wan's eyes, quickly answered the Jedi's unspoken question.
"I knew she wasn't abandoning me. She loved me so much that she left me with the enemy of everything she stood for, because she knew that is where I would be most safe. And now, when this over, we can be a family once more."
Looking back to Obi-Wan, Korkie's frown turned into a sad smile, which was returned by the man beside him, who gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. Unfortunately, the tender moment was interrupted by Obi-Wan's comm, the Jedi, with a very noticeable eyeroll, which succeeded in getting a chuckle out of Korkie, answering the offending device.
"Kenobi here."
"Master," Ahsoka's voice sounded over the comm, "Bo-Katan and I are on our way to interrogate Almec…you want in?"
"Oh," Obi-Wan said with a playful sigh, "I suppose. I'll grab Rex and meet your there."
After cutting off the feed, Obi-Wan leaned down to pick up his jetpack. And it was only before leaving that he gave Korkie one more pat on the shoulder, the young man returning the gesture in kind as he watched Obi-Wan leave to catch a gunship.
Meanwhile, deep within the tunnels of the undercity, several super commandoes were receiving a very hard lesson on why it is not a good thing to fail Maul. Some averted their gaze, while others couldn't help but watch, almost as if witness a speeder crash. Wails of pain and agony mixed with pleas of mercy as Maul hacked the group that had failed to stop Kenobi's party from escaping to pieces. Even Saxon was unnerved as he saw the bodies of several strong men and women, heads relieved of their bodies or said bodies slashed across the chest with the one weapon that was meant to unite Mandalore…
The Dark Saber.
Before long, the party of failures was reduced to one, a whimpering female, forced to her knees by two commandoes, who had removed her helmet to reveal tan skin and a tangled mess of black hair, her fearful blue eyes looking up at her leader with pleading eyes.
"My Lord please," she practically wept, pitiful tears streaming down her cheeks, "give me another chance and I will not fail you."
At that moment the poor woman's blood ran cold as she heard Maul released a sickening cackle.
"How amusing that you believe this," he said with a cruel smile.
"I thought the same…and do you know what happened? I was cast aside and forgotten. Saxon…"
Saxon stiffened at the mention of his name, Maul's back having been facing him for the majority of the time until the dark warrior ad sensed his presence.
"Information is a valuable commodity…see to it that the Prime Minister does not become an asset to our enemy."
"Yes, my lord," Saxon quickly responded, quickly placing his helmet back on his head before leaving the chamber. And as Saxon left to carry out his assignment, Maul turned back to the cowering warrior, his smile once again present as he poised himself to strike.
"Now…where were we?"
And as Saxon continued to walk away, he winced as the woman's loud shriek of terror was quickly silenced.
Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, Bo-Katan and Rex were lead through the prison complex by one of Bo-Katan's warriors, each holding an expression of grim determination as they made their way to interrogate Almec on Maul's plans. But, as they walked, Bo-Katan noticed that Rex was somewhat lagging, practically dragging his feet as his un-helmeted gaze remained squarely on the floor. Understanding the pain that the clone was going through, Bo-Katan slowed her pace so as to walk beside him.
"Hey," she said hesitantly, never quite sur eon how to approach these sorts of situations, the downside of having a warrior lifestyle, "you alright."
A moment of silence.
"I'm…managing."
Bo-Katan let out a sad huff, a small grin forming on her lips as she conversed with Rex.
"You know," she continued, "I did some research on your donor, Jango Fett."
This caught Rex's attention, the clone looking to the woman beside him.
"While it was widely believed he was just a bounty hunter with Mandalroian armor, he was actually found by one of our own. A great warrior named Jaster Mareel. He taught Fett in the ways of our people. He even fought in the Mandalorian Civil Wars."
"Your point?" Rex asked somewhat impatiently, which seemed to shock Bo-Katan. Catching his little outburst, Rex released a low sign as he sent the female warrior and apologetic gaze.
"Sorry."
"There's no need to be," Bo-Katan responded with a sad smile, placing a gentle hand on Rex's shoulder.
"You are still grieving. Believe me, I know what you are going through…But my point is, Fett, by all accounts, was a Mandalorian, which makes you clones, by technicality, Mandalorian yourself. Even your Jaig Eyes on your helmet a clear sign of our ways. What I am saying is, once this all over, I will see to it that your dead receive the same honors as ours."
This actually caused Rex to falter in his step once more, his wide eyes staring at Bo-Katan, who was now smiling a full smile, something seldom seen by even her warriors. But, after taking a moment to register what she had said, Rex felt a smile of his own tugging at his lips.
"I-I," he stammered, "I don't now what to say."
"Say nothing," Bo-Katan quickly interjected.
"I, and my people, will be forever indebted to you."
And for the first time, Rex allowed himself to look fully into Bo-Katan's eyes, once hard green eyes now much softer as she looked into his deep brown eyes. But, before either of them could really register what was happening, Obi-Wan loudly cleared his throat from ahead. It was at that moment that Bo-Katan and rex found themselves blushing, both cursing the fact that they were not wearing their helmets to hide it, all while Obi-Wan and Ahsoka stared at them with teasing smirks.
"If you two are quite finished," he said in his playfully condescending tone, "we have arrived."
At that moment, Bo-Katan's resolve turned back to one of steel, her expression hardening as she and Rex moved up to join Obi-Wan and Ahsoka at entrance to the cell that was holding the captive Almec. Nodding to the warrior standing guard, the male soldier pressed a button on the lock panel, the door to the cell opening with a hiss, allowing the two force-users and Mandalorian female to enter, their presence causing a mocking smirk to form on Almec's withered features.
"I'm flattered that you could find the time to see me," he said in tone that matched the smirk on his face, a tone which did sit well with the three other inhabitants of his cell.
"What's Maul's plan?" Bo-Katan angrily growled, clearly not having time for Almec's humor.
"Yes," Obi-Wan added in, his own mood rivalling Bo-Katan's in intensity.
"How is he going to escape?"
Almec, upon hearing this, let out a small huff of amusement as he stood to his feet, stepping toward his three interrogators, who inwardly flinched at his actions, there senses on high alert should he try anything. But what he said next caused great confusion amongst them.
"Maul is not trying to escape because he sees no point in doing so."
"So, he believes he can defeat us?" Obi-Wan theorized, crossing his arms as he glared at the irksome man.
"Yes," Almec sadly answered, causing even more confusion from the others, "and after seeing the means by he will take in order to achieve this, I'm afraid I have brought my people to the brink of annihilation."
Bo-Katan did not like the sound of this.
"Your people?" Bo-Katan growled as she stepped toward Almec, who she felt had the gall to to refer to the citizens of Mandalore as "HIS people."
"Yes," Almec responded calmly, "despite what you may think of me, I have always held Mandalore's best interests at heart. In fact, if it weren't for me, Maul would have destroyed most of our home by now."
"LIAR!" Bo-Katan shouted, causing both Obi-Wan and Ahsoka to flinch, Even Rex felt unnerved by this growing hostility that Bo-Katan was showing towards Alemc, who upon noticed the murderous intent in the female Kryze's eyes as she unholstered a pistol, began to back himself toward the wall of his cell in fear holding up his hands in what would be a futile attempt to defend himself.
"No, wait. I'm telling you the tr-AGH-ACK!"
Before Almec could finish, he let out two loud shrieks of shock and pain with each shot that fired into his chest. Only. Bo-Katan was not the one to pull the trigger. Looking in alarm to the direction the shots had originated, Bo-Katan's eyes narrowed in anger upon seeing the horned helmet of one of her greatest adversaries.
"Saxon," she growled, pushing her way past Rex and her warriors to give chase to the now retreating commando. And as Bo-Katan gave chase, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka were tending to the wounded Almec.
"Rex, get a medic!" Obi-Wan bellowed to Rex, the commander wasting no time in bringing his comm to his lips.
"Kix, this is Rex. We have a man down..."
And even though it appeared that calling a medic seemed a futile effort, if Almec's ragged breaths were any indication, Obi-Wan was determined to keep Almec alive long enough to give them more information. But, as Almec's breathing became for shallow, Obi-Wan new that those chances were becoming very slim. But just as it seemed Almec was nearing the end, the dying man weakling reached his right hand over to his left cuff, revealing to Obi-Wan and Ahsoka a hidden pocket, from which Almec produced as data chip.
"Stop the syndicate," he rasped out, holding the chip out to Obi-Wan, who hesitantly took the chip from Almec, who continued to hold his hand up. Catching on to what the man was requesting, Obi-Wan clasped the weaking hand in his. At that moment, tear-filled violet eyes met conflicted blue as Almec rasped out his last words.
"S-Save…M-Manda-looooore."
And with that, Almec was no more.
Meanwhile, Bo-Katan and her warriors were pursuing Saxon, the retreating commando using his sniper rifle to engage the enemy in a fierce firefight, the red-armored man, who successfully managed to drop several of Bo-Katan's warriors. Upon reaching the end of one of the several corridors in the prison, Saxon quickly made use of the rocket launcher on his jetpack, the projectile blasting a hole in a wall that housed the lift shafts, allowing him a perfect opening to escape.
Bo-Katan, however, would be damned before she let Saxon escape her grasp. And so, with insane fearlessness that only she would have, Bo-Katan pursued Saxon down the shaft, and before long, the two were trading savage blows on top of an ascending lift. But, just as Bo-Katan prepared to gain the upper hand, things got very heated, literally, as Saxon used the flamethrower on his gauntlet on Bo-Katan, which was just narrowly blocked by Bo-Katan as she produced a power shield from her own gauntlet, though the shield did little to protect her from the intense heat, which managed to creep under her helmet, making her sweat profusely.
Taking advantage of this distraction, Saxon deactivates his flamethrower fts enough to deliver a savage roundhouse kick to Bo-Katan's chest, sending the woman into the opposing shaft, and into the path of a descending lift, allowing Saxon his opening to escape. And as the lift descended rapidly toward the bottom of the shaft, the palms of her hands pressed firmly on the lift above her, Bo-Katan put her jetpack into overdrive in an attempt to keep herself from being crushed. Even the clone trooper and loyalist passengers of the lift had to hold their balance as the lift shook from the sudden declaration.
Meanwhile, Bo-Katan could feel the blistering heat on her calves from her pack's thrusters as her feet hit the bottom of the shaft. And even though her jetpack was doing most of the work, Bo-Katan strained under the immense weight of the lift, until finally, with a spark and a lurch, the circuitry of the lift and her jetpack shorted out. After taking a moment to catch her breath, Bo-Katan crawls along the bottom of the shaft before prying open the lift doors, barely managing to squeeze through the small open before rising to her feet and rising for the exit, the clone and loyalist looking at her retreating form in shock and confusion.
Unfortunately for Bo-Katan, the moment she reaches the platform outside of the prison, Saxon is already of tiny red dot retreating deep into the undercity. And with her jetpack damaged, she could not give chase.
Saxon had escaped.
Meanwhile, Saxon, helmet removed from his sweating head, walked slowly and calmly through the tunnels of the undercity until he came upon the conduit where he last left Maul, the bodies of his slain comrades still lying on the floor where they had fallen. And at the center, Maul was conversing with his most trusted officials within the syndicate; Marg Krim of the Pykes, Ziton Moj of the Black Sun, and the young Dryden Vos, Maul's most loyal enforcer, each listening intently to what their leader had to say.
"What's going on?" Saxon asked Rook as he took his place beside her.
"Maul has just told the Syndicate leaders to go into hiding," she whispered back, clear confusion radiating in her voice. Saxon even joined her in her confused thoughts, wonder why Maul, who had recently been so confident of the Syndicates power and might, would order his lieutenants to hide. Saxon was suddenly pulled from his thoughts as, one by one, and projection of the Syndicate leaders flickered out, Leaving Maul alone with his super commandoes. And for several minutes, the conduit was shrouded in tense silence, not one person within daring to breath or even blink.
That is until Maul turned to address them.
"You once liberated me from my imprisonment by Sidious and his apprentice," he began, his voice shaking as he began to walk around the circular space.
"At the time I thought Dooku was an old fool. But now, now I see he and I are the same…"
A long, deadly pause.
"One step behind…as I had foolishly been with Almec."
"My lord," Saxon hesitantly spoke, "what do you me-AAAACK!"
Saxon immediately grabbed at his throat, his helmet clattering to the floor, the man never getting the chance to finish his question as he was lifted from the ground by Maul, the former Sith using the force to throttle Saxon as he continued to struggle for air, all while his compatriots could do nothing but helplessly watch. Even Rook's eyes were wide in shock and fear as Saxon kicked his legs frantically as he clutched his throat.
"I have learned," Maul calmly growled, using the force to pull Saxon closer to him until he was face-to-face with the know fearful commando, "Almec was in procession of information regarding the syndicate…information that, if in the hands of the Republic, could mean the end of everything I have meticulously built. In other words, Saxon…you have failed me for the last time."
At this point, Mauls fingers continued to close around the invisible throat in his grasp, the act having the same affect on Saxon as he stared pleadingly at his leader, who only narrowed his eyes as he prepared to deliver the killing blow. Only, rather than clinching his fist, Maul nearly gave a flick of the wrist. And in an instant, the other supper commandoes winced at the unsettling sight of Saxon's head giving a sudden jerk, accompanied by a sickening sound of his neck snapping.
"Soon," Maul continued as he let Saxon's lifeless body crumble to floor with a thud, "the Republic shall come. And when they do, the Syndicate will fight for victory, or fall in a blaze of glory."
At this point, Maul was addressing the remaining commandoes as if he were giving a great patriotic speech, which seemed to be the case as each member, even the still shaking Rook, felt their chests swell with pride as Maul spoke to them.
"It is not the way of your people to hide, here in the gutters. If you die, I promise you it will be on the field of battle. And if you die... you will die as warriors."
And with that, a great cheer echoed through the tunnels.
A cheer of defiance…and blood lust.
.
.
.
"The Republic shall be purged of the corruption that has plagued it. And with this cleansing of greed and evil, we shall be strengthened by the resolve of those who wish only the best for our people. And in good time, the Republic and the Confederacy may one day be whole again."
The sound of Mon Mothma's inaugural address to the Galactic Senate the previous year echoed through Sundari, the round of thunderous applause from the Senate chamber adding to the power of her speech. And in this moment, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka could feel the shift of the city's public opinion turn in their favor. And with the information on the chip that the late Almec provided to Obi-Wan, a chip containing all the information regarding the criminal dealings undertaken by the government under Maul's control. And once relayed to the people of Mandalore, they could see error in judgement, as evident now.
Throughout the city, as Chancellor Mothma's speech was being projected in several areas throughout, the clone troopers of the 332nd and 212th , the latter division being led by the newly promoted Commander Boil, were busy evacuating the civilian population of Sundari into shelters in attempt to get them away from the fighting. And from the Regency balcony overlooking the embattled city, Bo-Katan watched with sadness as her people, beaten and bruised, were being led through the smoke and fire of the battle that had claimed their home. And while many understood the clone's presence was meant to ensure their safety, many still held the belief that the clones were merely another source of violence, despite the reassurances brought on by the exposure of Almec's corruption, and the promise of peace and safety from the Republic and Loyalist forces. But even then, it did Ahsoka, Obi-Wan and Rex's hearts good to see a majority of the civilians allowing clones to help them, be it with luggage or tending to injuries. However, All Bo-Katan could focus on were the naysayers.
"This occupation cannot last much longer," she said sadly as he made her way back into the palace, her companions following closely.
"The people will not stand for it…I will not stand for it."
"Bo," Rex quickly interjected, shocking the others by his lack of formality with Bo-Katan, though said woman didn't seem to be bothered. In fact, she had to secretly admit she liked the way Rex addressed her.
"You asked for our help," Rex continued.
"My men don't want to be acting as a police force."
"I assure Bo," Obi-Wan added in, placing a hand on her shoulder as they walked toward the throne room/command center, "Republic forces will leave depart Mandalore once Maul is dealt with."
"Yes," Ahsoka added with a reassuring smile, "then you will have your chance to lead. Besides, with most of the people on our side, there really is no urgency. The government corruption has been revealed, as have Maul's criminal dealings. Apart from Maul still running wild, there's nothing to worry about."
Bo-Katan, upon hearing this, allowed a small smile to form on her lips. However, the smile that began to form on Obi-Wan quickly fell as he felt a sudden shift in the force. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew it wasn't good.
"I fear you may have spoken too soon Ahsoka."
And just as he said this, Bo-Katan's commlink sounded, the female warrior immediately answering it to the sound of Korki's panicked voice.
"MOTHER COME IN!"
"Korki," Bo-Katan answered, her eyes and voice both filled with great concern, what's wrong?"
"IT'S MAUL!" Korki blared from his position in a dimly lit, narrow hallway, several Loyalist sand 332nd troops firing in the direction of the demented zabrak red and black blades slashing through several clones and warriors with ease as he calmy stalked toward Korki as he and Jesse attempted to secure a means of retreat.
"HE'S AMBUSHED US IN THE MAIN HANGER!"
As soon as Korki relayed this information, Maul, with a cold and cruel smile, extinguished the blades of his sabers. A first confused, the Mandalorian's and clones soon received a horrific surprise in the form of Maul, arm outstretched, ripping a piece of durasteel from the wall behind on small group of their forces, immediately knocking two to the ground as Maul then used the piece of metal as a shield from the newly invigorated barrage of blaster fire.
"KEEP ON 'EM BOYS!" Jesse shouted, only for his eyes to take in the gut-wrenching sight of Maul using the force to fling the piece of metal toward a trooper and Loyalist, their shoulders being relieved of their heads as their heavy helmets clattered to the ground, with their bodies following suit. After dodging a few more blaster bolts sent his way, Maul outstretched both arms, the force immediately bending two pieces of durasteal from the opposite walls, before pulling his clenched fist in, the action causing the two pieces of metal to slam into two 332nd troopers, the disoriented clones falling in a heap on the floor. And with a large sweeping motion of his arm, Maul sent one of the slabs of metal hurling toward the group, the piece of debris pinning an unfortunate trooper to the wall. AT this point, with menacing zabrak stalking closer and closer to him, Jesse began to panic.
"RIDGE'S DOWN!" He yelled into his comm, "MAUL'S ADVANCING TOWARD THE COMMAND CENTER!"
"SEAL OFF THE BLAST DOORS LEUTENANT!" Bo-Katan shouted into her comm, the fear in her eyes and voice matching in intensity with her companions, "CUT OFF HIS ADVANCE!"
"YES MAM!" Jesse shouted, before giving the order to his men.
"SEAL THE BLAST DOORS, HURRY!"
Without missing beat, a trooper on the otherside of the doorway hit the controls of the blastdoors, the horizontal barriers immediately starting to close. While still maintain a steady barrage if fire on Maul, Korki, Jesse and the rest of their subordinates jumped through the ever-shrinking opening one by one. But, just as Jesse finished his as the blast door closed, the survivors of the vicious onslaught felt a new wave of fear wash through when they say a crimson blade slice through the door, the hot blade immediately cutting through the material in a circular motion.
Back with Bo-Katan's group, the red-headed woman turned to the others, a look of sheer determination on her face.
"We need to get to command center," she said, quickly receiving a round of firm nods as they group immediately bolted toward the throne room turned commander center. But as they ran, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka suddenly stalled, clutching their heads as if they were in pain.
"General, Ahsoka," Rex inquired, placing a hand on the young togruta's shoulder. But, after just a few seconds, Ahsoka's eyes snapped open, a panicked look in her eyes as she looked to Obi-Wan, who shared her crippling concern. And with what Obi-Wan said, the panic grew in the clone and Mandalorian as well.
"Hurry," he urgently whispered. Before long the quartet of warriors were all out sprinting toward the command center, only for their hearing to be filled with sound of blaster fire, clattering armor, and horrified screams. And two both force-users in the group, this amplified by the death that they could feel. Ahsoka even shed a tear as one of them…was Vaughn. And the moment they stepped into the throne room, they were met with the grizzly sight of several dead clones and loyalists, either slashed across the chests, or relieved of limbs and heads. And at the center of it all, Maul, hacking away at several clones and Loyalists, all while holding Korki above the ground in a strong force-grip, the young Mandalorian struggling for breath as clawed at his throat.
"DROP HIM!" a cry came from the last clone standing, who to Rex's heartbreaking surprise was Jesse, who at some point in the struggle had been relieved of his helmet. But as the ARC trooper charged the zabrak in blind rage, the crime lord made quick use of Jesse's pistols, slicing them in half before impaling him with crimson blade of her lightsaber.
"JESSE!" Rex cried as he watched his friend and brother drop to his knees, the tattooed clone sending his brother one last, sad smile, before toppling over in a heap with his fallen brothers. And wile Rex was heartbroken at this sudden turn of events, the pain he felt at having lost another close brother almost bringing him to his knees, he knew he couldn't let the former Sith see the thin line of tears that threatened spill from his eyes.
Unfortunately for him, Maul did not need to see.
"Fret not, Captain, for I know your pain" he said in mockingly sympathetic tone, his invisible grip still on Korki's neck, the young warrior having also been robbed of his helmet, allowing his mother and fellow fighters to see the look of pain and fear on his face. And upon seeing her son in such a state, Bo-Katan, against her better judgement, drew both of her pistols, firing blindly at Maul, only for the zabrak to deflect her shots with the force with relative ease. And just as she was twenty feet from him, she suddenly felt the same invisible force on Korki wrap around her neck, the sudden deprivation of air causing her to drop her pistols and claw at her throat.
"My Lady," he growled, his free hand now mimicking the same hold he had on Korki, "is that anyway to treat your rightful ruler?"
All Bo-Katan could do was groan in complaint, her muscles stiff as she attempted break the hold Maul had on her neck. Unfortunately, she was only clawing at air. But, to her surprise, Maul's face relaxed some as he loosened his hand, Bo-Katan suddenly letting out a loud gasp of relief as she dropped to the floor, ragged coughs escaping her as she struggled to catch her breath, immediately being tended to by her three compatriots. However, their concern quickly shifted to Korki as he continued to claw at the invisible hand around his throat. But, much to their surprise, Korki was floating towards them.
"And now," Maul said in a mockingly kind tone, "I return this…BURDONSOME youth to your care. And I will say this…he has…FIRE."
In instant, Korki was dropped to the floor, his labored breaths as he tried to regain much needed air for his lungs ringing in his mother's ears. Casting her own well-being aside, Bo-Katan instantly made her way to Korki, rolling him onto his back before pulling him close to her, his head resting against her armored shoulder as she smoothed back his hair.
"Korki," she cooed in pained whisper, "are you alright?"
However, Kokri's gaze quickly turned to Rex.
"Captain," he rasped, wincing in pain as the air drawn into his body hurt his now sore throat, "Jesse…I'm sorry."
"It's alright kid," Rex soothed, all while Maul watched with glee in his eyes, eyes which soon turned to Obi-Wan, who stood behind the group, glaring menacingly at the bane of existence for so long. And if Maul was certain of one thing, he relished this new feeling of anger radiating from Obi-Wan, his demented smile growing wider.
"Rex," Obi-Wan said to the clone, who cast a curious gaze toward the general, "get Korki out of hear."
"Yes General," Rex quickly responded, quickly aiding Bo-Katan in helping Korki to his feet, the young warrior throwing an arm over Rex's shoulder as the captain wrapped one around his waist, offering support as he helped the young man hobble out of the room, leaving Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Bo-Katan to face Maul. However, just as soon as the two men left, a series of muffled explosions rang from outside, the light and smoke visible through the tall windows of the throne room.
"One or two of you might want to deal with that," Maul said in the same mocking tone as before, a clear sign that he and his followers had planned a counterattack against the joint forces outside. At that moment, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan could feel Bo-Katan being torn apart on the inside. And they knew she was debating whether to help her people or bring them justice by beating Maul.
Luckily for her, it was Ahsoka to make the choice for her.
"Bo," she said, causing Bo-Katan to look to the togruta she now could call her friend, "help your people, by taking down Maul…I got this."
Sending the young woman, a thankful smile, Bo-Katan returned her gaze to Maul, who calmly approach the Jedi and Mandalorian who were left in the rooms with him. For several minutes they just glared at each other, the mutual hatred radiated through them all. But, Maul found himself smiling at the strong emotion that he thought was quite foreign to Obi-Wan.
"I must say Kenobi," he began in a malicious purr, "it does my heart good to feel such anger…such hatred coming from you."
At that moment, Obi-Wan knew what Maul was doing. He was trying to goad him into attack first, much like how he did in the undercity. And at that moment, with the bodies strewn on the floor and the sound of chaos on the outside, Obi-Wan was so tempted to thrust his sword at the evil cyborg. But, he soon felt that temptation lessen when he felt a small but firm hand wrap around his wrist. And at that moment, he felt strong anger flowing from Bo-Katan, only this anger was mixed with a much-needed calmness. It was as if Bo-Katan was telling Obi-Wan to control his anger. And much to Mauls further anger, he felt the anger within Obi-Wan dissipate, replaced with an almost complacent resolve.
Meanwhile, outside the palace, clone and loyalist forces were engaged in a vicious firefight with Maul's forces. Within a matter of seconds since the fight started, bodies were raining from the upper levels as they were either thrown off the bridges spanning the deep chasms or shot out of the air. And at the forefront of it all, was Rex, fighting side-by-side with a now recovered Korkie as they attempted to push back Maul's forces, led by the ever-zealous Rook Kast.
"GO! GO! GO!"
Rex was screaming at the top of his lungs as he and a majority of his men, exchanged fire with the advancing terra cotta warriors. It had only been ten minutes since the enemy had launched their attack, but try as they might, the ranks of experienced soldiers could not push them back. The blaster fire from the trooper and warriors and canon fire from the lone AT-TE in the center of the bridge were proving to have little effect on the determined enemy, who just seemed to keep coming in droves, no matter how many were gunned down.
"FOR THE REPUBLIC!"
Rex turned just in time to see a charging 332nd trooper take a direct hit to the head from a blast from a super commando.
"FOR MANDALORE!"
Looking to a Loyalist, Rex witnessed the man take a direct hit through the chest, the soldier being thrown back a few feet as a result. Looking around frantically, Rex watched in horror as several of his comrades in arms were mowed down as if they were nothing. Slowly, the peel of blasters began to be replaced by said weapons clattering to the ground as the enemy quickly advanced, taking down as many soldiers as possible.
At this point, Rex knew there was no chance.
"FALL BACK!" he called, firing his pistols into the heads of two dangerously close super commandos a second later.
"FALL BACK!"
"HOLD YOUR POSITIONS!" Ahsoka's voice suddenly hollered, the togruta leaping over Rex immediately after, her shoto impaling a female commando in the chest and her regular saber decapitating another. Soon, Rex's vision was filled with the awe-inspiring sight of Ahsoka cutting down enemy warriors with ease, all without suffering a single hit to her person.
And this alone was enough to renew Rex's spirit.
"YOU HEARD HER BOYS!" he yelled before charging toward the enemy, the others following suit. And in a matter of seconds, fire-fighting turned into close quarter combat as shoulders rammed together, opponents were tackled, and fists connect with helmets…
Back in the throne room, the three occupants continued to stand in silence, each trying to gage how the other might strike. They were so engrossed with trying to access their opponents potential moves, they didn't even flinch when a massive explosion blew in the windows of the room, shards of sharp glass flying through the air, making way for smoke and burning embers.
"I suppose," Maul finally said, breaking the silence as he looked to Bo-Katan with a mocking smile, "I should give you a fight chance…M'Lady."
With just enough time to react to catch the object that Maul flung at her, Bo-Katan's eyes suddenly widened at the sight that befell her. The Darksaber, the symbol of power and might for all Mandalore, was in her grasp. On impulse, she ignited the blade, only to find to her surprise how heavy it felt in her hand. Maul must have sensed this as he smiled wickedly, procuring his double-bladed saber from his hip as he quickly ignited both blades, Obi-Wan following suit so he was ready to defend Bo-Katan if need be.
"Excellent," Maul growled before suddenly leaping at his two opponents, both jumping out of the way just in time as Maul's blades barely missed their heads by inches. Obi-Wan, taking an opening he had just received to strike at maul's back, suddenly found his downward strike expertly blocked by Maul, the former sith using one of his cybernetic legs to kick the Jedi away before turning his attention on Bo-Katan.
'I must say M'Lady, you hold your own very well," Maul grunted out as he watched Bo-Katan seem to party and block his strikes with expert skill, even managing to briefly go on the offensive as she used her jet-pack to somersault hover Maul's head, briefly catching him off guard as she thrust her saber toward his back, Only for it to be blocked a second later by Maul, their sabers caught in a savge lock as they glared at each other.
"You have to when you're facing force-wielding MANIACS!" Bo-Katan screamed as she shoved Maul away, the zabrak having just enough time to block a two-pronged attack as Obi-Wan and Bo-Katan brought their blades down hard on his own. And as Maul pressed Back against the onslaught, he couldn't help but let out a long, demented cackle as he reveled in this moment.
Meanwhile, the Republic and Loyalist forces where finally gaining an advantage, a good fraction of Maul's forces either dead or captured as they were pushed back and forced to take cover. Even Rook realized at this point that there was no chance of escaped unless they received reinforcements.
"LORD MAUL!" she shouted into her comm, barely dodging a shot that struck the piece of debris she was sheltering behind.
"WE ARE BEING OVER RUN! WE NEED REINFORCEMNTS!"
On the other side of the comm, Maul still maintained his saber lock with Bo-Katan and Obi-Wan, his expression before even more demented as he answered his comm, his dark-side fueled strength allowing him to maintain the lock with one hand as he answered the comm, all while maintaining eye-contact with his adversaries.
"I think not," he lowly cackled, his response greatly unnerving the Jedi and Mandalorian his was fighting.
"You see Rook, you and your compatriots were like me...loyal, but blind. If I cannot have Mandalore…then it will fall."
Obi-Wan and Bo-Katan paled at this, fear over what Maul had planned to radiate through their bodies.
And what Rook said next over the comm bolstered their fear.
"I understand my lord…Victory or Death…"
A pause…
"Commencing Operation: Cinder."
Before Obi-Wan and Bo-Katan could react, they were thrown off balance by a powerful explosion, the sudden interruption allowing Maul the opportunity to use the force to push them away. And on the outside of the place, the joint forces were thrown off balance as well. At first confused, Rex suddenly felt great fear as he looked over the side of the bridge, his visor reflecting the great fireballs erupting within the depths of the undercity. Looking to Ahsoka, Rex relayed what he had just witnessed, the reality quickly setting in.
"THEY'VE RIGGED THE CITY TO COLLAPSE!"
The moment she heard this, Ahsoka knew what her top priority was.
"EVACUATE THE CITIZENS!"
"AHSOKA!" Korki cried, "BEHIND YOU!"
Of course, Ahsoka knew better than to let her guard. Which is why she was not surprised when she felt Rook attempted to sneak up on her, her shoto slicing the warrior's blaster, which had just been pointed at her head, in half before hilting her blade through Rook's chest, the azure blade protruding out of Rook's jetpack as she let out a groan of pain, only for her body to go limp a second later. And what happened next as she let the body fall to the round was a truly sickening sight. The remaining super commandos shedding their jetpacks…
Before jumping into the flaming inferno below.
But right now, Ahsoka had more pressing matters to attend to.
"Rex…"
"Right."
Back in the throne room, Obi-Wan pulled himself back to his feet, quickly regaining his bearings before aiding Bo-Katan, the woman letting out a pained groan as she stood, only for her eyes to go wide the moment she saw the chaos consuming her home as Sundari began to collapse into the pit it was built on.
"Let the remains of Mandalore show the galaxy the price of a Jedi victory," Maul growled as he staired menacingly at Bo-Katan and Obi-Wan. But, just as Bo-Katan ignite the darksaber once again, the blade now feeling even lighter than before, Obi-Wan held out a hand for her to stop. At first confused by his foe's action, Maul soon smiled with glee as Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber once again. And while Maul prepared himself to attack against Obi-Wan's preferred Form III Soresu, his glee intensified when he saw Obi-Wan change his stance to…
Form IV Ataru.
A fool, like your master, Kenobi, Maul thought to himself as he slightly altered his stance. And as he stared down Obi-Wan, the Jedi's gaze boring into the yellow orbs of his enemy, Maul, after just a few moments of reveling the inevitable defat of his most hated foe, let out a short battle cry as he leapt toward Obi-Wan, the Jedi quickly blocking a downward strike at his head, moving quickly to block a sweep at his legs. And just as Obi-Wan had anticipated, brought his saber down through Maul's hilt, severing it in half as he attempted the same move he had used to kill his beloved master. And before Maul had time to react, he felt a burning pain in his abdomen, a pain he was certain Qui-Gon Jinn had felt on Naboo.
Looking down, Maul's pain-filled eyes widened at the sight of Obi-Wan's lightsaber imbedded in his abdomen all the way to the hilt. And before he had time to react again, he let out a loud grunt of pain as a black blade suddenly protruded from his chest, the hard hilt of Bo-Katan's saber pressing against his back as the Mandalorian let silent tears of grief and satisfaction. And after returning his gaze to look at Obi-Wan, Maul let out a sharp gasp as the two blades were quickly withdrawn from his body, retracting back into their hilts as their prey collapsed to the floor of the now crumbling throne room.
And at that moment, as Obi-Wan felt through the force, the Phantom Menace that was Maul…
Was Dead.
For several moments Obi-Wan and Bo-Katan looked down at their fallen foe, his eyes staring blankly up at the crumbling world around him. But to Obi-Wan's surprise, he quickly felt a pair of arms wrap around his middle, followed by a whisper, one mixed with relief…and pain.
"It's over."
After recovering from the shock, Obi-Wan returned the embrace, actually finding himself shedding a few tears at the fact that all who had fallen by Maul and his followers, Adi, Satine…Qui-Gon…
Were Avenged.
But, as the ground shook beneath, the violent vibrations growing even stronger by the second, Obi-Wan knew that the crumbling palace was not the place to be.
"We need to go," he whispered, Bo-Katan nodding against his chest as she pulled away, quickly wiping away a few stray tears that had managed to stain her cheeks. Within minutes, the duo was running through the crumbling halls of the palace, dodging debris as they quickly made their way to the main hanger, where several troopers and warriors were help load civilians onto three waiting gunships. Upon reaching the middle transport, Obi-Wan and Bo-Katan were greeted by Boil and Korkie.
"SIR!" Boil said with a salute, shouting over the noise of the rapidly collapsing city, "all other civilians have been evacuated! Captain, Rex and Commander Tano have also been evacuated. These are the last ships! You and Lady Bo-Katan need to leave, NOW!"
As Boil urgently relayed his message to Obi-Wan, Bo-Katan found herself distracted by the heartbreaking sight before her…buildings crumbling, the great dome covering of the city collapsing into the depths of Sundari, massive explosions from igniting fuel adding to the chaotic scene. But, her attention was brought back to Boil as he urged her and Obi-Wan to board a ship. But as she observed, the three ships could not carry the remaining battalion's worth of troops and warriors still in the city.
"What about you?" she quietly urged, causing both men to look at her. And to her surprise, Boil removed his helmet, revealing a face she had seen several times before…only with what she could describe as the funniest looking mustache in her life. However, her humor was quickly replaced with sorrow, but also respect, at what Boil said.
"My men and I are here to defend the people of Mandalore and will not leave with any still in the city," he said in a firm voice, standing at attention as he did, several of the remaining loyalists finding new respect for their clone compatriots. And while Bo-Katan could bring herself to smile, she could not do so with her son, who only looked at her with a sad smile as he spoke to her.
"And I will not leave so long as there are still clones in the city."
At first, Bo-Katan was at a loss for words, but as she stared at her son, she couldn't help but let a kind, warm smile spread on her lips, an expression shared by Obi-Wan as the Jedi placed a comforting hand on the shoulder of a young man who was ready to face his fate with pride.
"You are a good man Korki," he said.
"It's been an honor, General."
"The honor…was mine."
And as soon as Korki said this, he was pulled into a tight embrace by his mother, who whispered into his ear as she held him close.
"I'm so proud of you…I love you so much. I will sta-"
"No mother," Korki interrupted as he tightened the embrace.
"You must go. Our people need someone to lead them through this. But know that I love you too…and I always will…there is no place you will go that I am not with you."
With that, Bo-Katan reluctantly broke the embrace, but not before placing a firm kiss on Korki's cheek, the mother and son shedding tears of pain and sorrow as they said goodbye before she and Obi-Wan boarded the gunship. And after sending Korkie and Boil and the remaining soldiers one more wave, they departed, leaving the men on the platform and throughout the city to watch the chaos unfold around them. And the moment Boil saw a nearby building began to fall toward the hanger, he and his men faced it with bravery that every clone was born with. And with a smile on his face, Boil whispered to the force.
"Cody…Waxer…I'm coming home."
And by his side, Korki also whispered.
"Here I come Auntie."
And as the Gunships managed to weave their way out of the carnage, Obi-Wan and Bo-Katan could only watch in sadness as massive plumes of smoke rose into the sky of Mandalore, the thick clouds obscuring their view of the fallen city, the orange hue of the massive flames from within illuminating the night sky. And in his mind, Obi-Wan could only think of the irony of it all.
They came to save Mandalore…but in a way had caused its destruction.
The next day was a taxing one.
The flames had subsided, and the smoke cleared, giving the people of Mandlore a chance to see what had become of their beloved home. Only a few gigantic shards of the once opulent dome remained. Within the dome, sunken within the crater that was once the undercity, the ruble of a once great civilization.
But, one of the most remarkable things of this whole ordeal was…none of them blamed the Republic, or Bo-Katan.
They could see now.
And it was with this renewed sight, they helped the clones and loyalists recover their dead.
In the end, they found all they could, many bodies still buried deep within the rubble. But, it was thought better this way. Those who were found, true to Bo-Katan's word, had been sent off with true Mandalorian honors, alongside their fallen compatriots. And as solemn tribute to their sacrifice, their graves were marked with the helmets they wore into battle, helmets that filled the gaze of Obi-Wan, Bo-Katan, Ahsoka, and Rex, each handling their grief in their own way…
With quiet contemplation…or tears…
Reflected by the helmets before them…
Jesse…
Amos…
Vaughn…
Boil…
Cody…
Korki.
But, in the end, they found solace in the fact that their sacrifice was not in vain.
And this lace where they were laid to rest, would be forever seen as a hallowed place of remembrance.